Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-06-09
A JAPANESE LEGEND.
A Rip Van Wrinkle Story Which Is Cur
rent Among the Jams.

KIP van Wlnkle story Wnlch Is tur-
rent Among the Japs.
While in Toxic we visited the Shiba
Temple, where are the tombs of sew
eral of the Shoguns, which are among
the marvels of japanese art. In one
of the mortuary temples attached to
the tombs are two double-roofed
shrines of exquisite gold lacquer and
elaborate metal work. On either side
of each shrine stand statuettes of the
-Four Deva Kings" who, according to
the Buddhist mythology, guard the
world against the attack of the de-
mons. In many places may be seen the
lotus, the Buddhist emblem of religion.
As l said, the shrines are of gold; there
are also gilded gates, gilded paneling,
gilded walls, great gilded pillars-every
thing sparkles with gold. AT Nyeno Park
is large educational museum where
there is a fine collection of apparatus
for instruction. An enjoyable drive
with the United States Consul
General at Yokohama was out to Mis-
sissippi Bay, where Commodore Perry
first anchored. Near by is Treaty
Point, where the first treaty with Japan
was signed.
Another pleasant jaunt, with native
man power carriages, veritable baby
carriages, was to the reputed grave of
Urashima, neurological hero, called
the Grip Van Winkle' of Japan. Ac-
cording to the ancient legend he went
out fishing on the sea, and after spend
ing three days and three nights unsuc-
cessfully, at last caught turtle which,
while he slept, transformed itself into
d beautiful maiden. She told him that
she was the daughter of Rishi,
and that when she saw him
floating on the waves she had flown
to him on cloud Urashima, who
had fallen in love with her from the
first, was afraid to declare his passion
to a being of supernatural origin, but
she encouraged him and promised him
eternal fidelity if he would accept her
for his wife. He could not refuse, and
closing his eyes was suddenly trans
ported to a beautiful island. She con-
Quoted him to large mansion, where
he was welcomed by her friends, who
showed great pleasure in meeting one
of another race. Urashima enjoyed
his life among the Rishis for time,
entirely forgot his own people; but
after, as it seemed to him, three years
had passed, he began to long to see his
parents. The Princess demurred at his
leaving her, but finally consented to
his going. When parting she gave
him a casket, bidding him if he desir-
ed to return to her to always carry it
with him and on no account to open
it. He got into his boat, closed his
eyes according to her directions, and
reopening them found he was-in his
native village. He was alarmed. as
he recognized none of the faces of the
inhabitants. At last he inquired fol
his family and found that they had all
been dead for many years, as three
hundred years had passed since the
day he had gone out fishing. He wa:
only reused from his sadness by the
thoughts of his Princess, and, forget
ting her injunction, he opened tn,
casket, from which issued vapor tha
, floated in the direction of the island
According to an ancient poem the
maiden was the daughter of a sea goo
and the casket contained an elixi
, which secured youth to its owner, bu
as soon as it was opened Urashima wa
transformed into decrepit old man.
, Cor. Chicago Tribune.